Other Names: Steelhead
Sustainable Fishing Methods: Farmed
Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Rating: Best Choice
Biological Information: Rainbow Trout are a species of salmonid native to the West Coast of North America. Commonly referred to as Steelhead, Rainbow Trout are anadromous, meaning they are capable of moving back and forth from the river to the ocean then back again to the river to spawn (sometimes several times throughout their lives). They have a delicate texture, medium flake and a flavor similar to wild salmon.
Sustainability: McFarland Springs is leading the aquaculture industry in sustainability by utilizing 100% pure vegetarian feed made with red algae. They have eliminated antibiotics and all other medicines from their diet as well. Most farmed fish (eg. Salmon and Prawns) have a bad rap for good reasons, they are fed a diet that contains large amounts of antibiotics as well as fishmeal which is produced from wild fish stocks. This practice of catching wild fish to feed farmed fish in inefficient and unsustainable. Fish farming practices also degrade wild habitat by polluting local waters with effluent, medicines and other additives.